Croatia have been crowned the first-ever UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup champions, triumphing in a landmark debut for the tournament at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.

The inaugural UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup brought together eight national associations in celebration of the sport and the chance to champion lifelong participation in football.

The success of the competition highlights the rapid growth of walking football across Europe and UEFA’s commitment to making the game accessible to all.

A celebration of inclusion

The Croatian team secured the title thanks to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out win in the final against Italy, completing a day of competition played in the spirit of inclusion, respect and enjoyment that forms the founding principles of walking football.

UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup

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Among the participants was Portugal’s 60-year-old Ana Paula Violante, whose relationship with football stretches back to her early childhood. Growing up at a time when opportunities for girls and women were limited, she repeatedly faced barriers to playing the game she loved. Walking football has given her a chance to rekindle that passion.

“It was with enormous joy that at 57 I discovered walking football, an opportunity to continue doing what I have loved since I was born,” said Ana Paula. “I will never be able to thank you properly for this opportunity.”

An important step forward

The UEFA Walking Football EURO Cup brought together Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Spain, showcasing the momentum and growth of walking football programmes across Europe.

It marks a significant expansion on the UEFA Walking Football Cup pilot staged in 2024, where four teams (England, Gibraltar, Portugal and Sweden) tested adapted formats and provided feedback on the development of the game. Insights from the pilot informed UEFA’s ongoing work, including the Walking Football Toolkit and wider grassroots support.

The tournament also served as a platform for national associations to present their work in promoting health, wellbeing and social connection through football, while highlighting the format’s ability to reach new communities.

Many of the members of Team Greece, for example, work with the country’s homeless community – some of whom train with the team. They hope their participation will encourage more people from vulnerable groups to get involved in walking football… CONTINUE READING at source: https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/02a6-20f4398062ef-8b7d3ed194f0-1000–inaugural-uefa-walking-football-euro-cup-marks-big-step-fo/